Lucknow: Lucknow is pulsating with devotion as the Bada Mangal festivities, celebrated on the Tuesdays of the Hindu month of Jyeshtha, transform the state capital into a vibrant hub of spirituality and communal harmony. The fourth Bada Mangal saw thousands of devotees thronging Hanuman temples across the city, from the historic Prachin Hanuman Mandir in Aliganj to the bustling Hanuman Setu, to offer prayers and seek blessings from Lord Hanuman. The streets, lined with over 1,500 bhandaras—community feasts serving puri-sabzi, chole-chawal, boondi, and sharbat—echoed with chants of “Jai Shri Ram” and “Jai Hanuman.” Yet, beneath the fervor, the city grapples with mounting garbage and chaotic traffic, casting a shadow over the celebrations.
The Bada Mangal season, unique to Lucknow and parts of Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Delhi, is a month-long ode to Lord Hanuman, rooted in legends of his first meeting with Lord Ram. This year, the festivities, which began on May 13 and will conclude on June 10, have drawn massive crowds, undeterred by the scorching summer heat. Temples in areas like Hazratganj, Aminabad, and University Road are adorned with marigold garlands, and the air is thick with the aroma of prasad. Mohammad Arif Farooqui, a businessman organizing a bhandara near Bhootnath market, shared his joy: “I’ve been raised with values of brotherhood and equality. Setting up a bhandara every Bada Mangal fills me with a sense of purpose, serving humanity across communities.”
Poonam Chhabra, who hosted a bhandara near Patrakarpuram market, echoed similar sentiments: “Growing up, I relished the food at Bada Mangal bhandaras. This festival is a celebration of unity, where my friends from different faiths come together to serve.” The bhandaras, a hallmark of Bada Mangal, embody Lucknow’s ethos of Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb, with people from Hindu, Muslim, and Sikh communities participating. Near the Bada Gurdwara in Aashiana, Sikh volunteers served sharbat and chhole-chawal, with one volunteer, Gurpreet Singh, stating, “Humanity comes first. Serving food during Bada Mangal is our way of honoring this tradition.”
However, the festive zeal has strained the city’s infrastructure. The Lucknow Municipal Corporation (LMC) reported challenges in managing the waste generated by thousands of bhandaras. Despite efforts to promote a “zero-waste Bada Mangal,” with special sanitation teams deployed and a ban on single-use plastics, garbage piles have accumulated in areas like Alambagh and Singar Nagar. LMC’s initiative, led by Mayor Sushma Kharkwal and Municipal Commissioner Gaurav Kumar, partnered with Lion Enviro to ensure proper waste disposal. A post on X by LMC highlighted their campaign: “Swachhta ka Bada Mangal—Lucknow’s new initiative! This Bada Mangal, we’ve set an example of zero-waste bhandaras, blending devotion with cleanliness.” Yet, residents like Anjali Verma from Gomti Nagar lamented, “The streets near temples are littered with plates and cups. The LMC’s efforts are visible, but the sheer volume of waste is overwhelming.”
Traffic chaos further compounded the challenges. The Lucknow Police implemented diversions on 14 major routes, including Shaheed Path, Kursi Road, and IT Chauraha, to accommodate the crowds and bhandaras. A press release noted restrictions on heavy vehicles and buses on routes like Kamta and Rae Bareli Road, with alternatives like Kisan Path suggested. However, commuters faced long jams, particularly near Aliganj and Hazratganj. Ravi Sharma, a local shopkeeper, remarked, “I was stuck for over an hour near Hanuman Setu. The diversions help, but the crowds make it impossible to move.”
Bada Mangal and VVIP movement have thrown Lucknow’s traffic into disarray, with long jams reported across the city. The LMC’s helpline (1533) encouraged residents to report garbage issues, with teams dispatched promptly. Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak, extending greetings on X, emphasized the festival’s spiritual significance: “Happy Bada Mangal! May Lord Hanuman bless all with courage and devotion.” Despite the challenges, Lucknow’s spirit remains unbroken, with devotees like Shalini Mishra affirming, “Bada Mangal is about faith and unity. A little mess or traffic can’t dim our devotion.” As the city navigates these hurdles, the festival continues to unite communities, proving that Lucknow’s heart beats strongest in its traditions.
